Skeletal manipulation method

• US 10,349,995 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2017
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Specialized Orthopedics, Inc. (Nuvasive Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Nuvasive Specialized Orthopedics, Inc. (Nuvasive Incorporated)
• Inventors: Walker, Blair, Pool, Scott, McCoy, Jay R., Chang, Arvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Application Number:
  US15/640,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20170296249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 606246-279, 606 54- 59, 606 90, 607 1, 600587, 600 12, 600415, 600422, 600424, 601 46, 128898, 128897, 324321, 324318, 324309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7016 electric or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7044 also having plates, staples or washers bearing on the vertebrae
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7065 Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/707 Devices acting on, or attached to, a transverse process or rib; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7216 for bone lengthening or compression A61B17/7258 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7266 with fingers moving radially outwardly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8004 with means for distracting or compressing the bone or bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/88 Osteosynthesis instruments; Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal or external fixation devices A61B17/7074 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8866 for gripping or pushing bones, e.g. approximators joint distractors A61B17/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/564 Methods for bone or joint treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/681 Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms

Abstract

A method of treating scoliosis in a subject includes securing a scoliosis treatment device to first and second locations on the subject'"'"'s skeletal system, the scoliosis treatment device including a first portion, a second portion moveably mounted relative to the first portion, and an adjustment device disposed on the device and configured to change a distraction force between the first location and the second location, the adjustment device including a rotationally mounted magnetic element configured to move the second portion relative to the first portion in response to rotation of the magnetic element. An external adjustment device is provided external to the subject and is able to adjust the distraction force between the first location and second location.

Claims

1. A method of treating scoliosis in a subject comprising:

securing a scoliosis treatment device to first and second locations on the subject'"'"'s skeletal system, the scoliosis treatment device comprising a first portion, a second portion moveably mounted relative to the first portion, and an adjustment device disposed on the scoliosis treatment device and configured to change a distraction force between the first location and the second location, the adjustment device comprising a rotationally mounted magnetic element configured to move the second portion relative to the first portion in response to rotation of the magnetic element;

providing an external adjustment device external to a side of the subject'"'"'s body, the external adjustment device comprising a first external magnet adapted to rotate about a first axis and a second external magnet spaced apart from the first external magnet and adapted to rotate about a second separate axis, with the first external magnet and the second external magnet magnetically coupled to the magnetic element of the scoliosis treatment device; and

non-invasively adjusting the scoliosis treatment device by rotating the first and second rotating magnets of the external adjustment device so as to rotate the magnetic element of the scoliosis treatment device, to change the distraction force between the first location and second location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of securing the scoliosis treatment device comprises inserting the device through an incision formed in the subject.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the incision is less than 15 cm in length.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the incision is less than 7.5 cm in length.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second external magnets of the external adjustment device comprise permanent magnets.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein opposing poles of the first and second external magnets of the external adjustment device are angularly synchronized during rotation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-invasive adjustment of the scoliosis treatment device is performed a plurality of times.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of times occur over a span of more than one week.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the distraction force between the first location and second location and subsequently removing the scoliosis treatment device from the body of the mammal.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the distraction force between the first location and second location and leaving the scoliosis treatment device in the body of the mammal.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising subsequently removing the treatment device from the body of the mammal.

12. A method of treating scoliosis comprising:

supplying a scoliosis treatment device to first and second locations on the subject'"'"'s skeletal system, the scoliosis treatment device comprising a first portion, a second portion moveably mounted relative to the first portion, and an adjustment device disposed on the scoliosis treatment device and configured to change a distraction force between the first location and the second location, the adjustment device comprising a rotationally mounted magnetic element;

providing an external adjustment device external to the subject adjacent to a side of the subject'"'"'s body, the external adjustment device comprising first and second magnetic fields configured to rotate about separate axes, with the first and second magnetic fields magnetically coupled to the magnetic element of the scoliosis treatment device; and

non-invasively adjusting the scoliosis treatment device by rotating the first and second magnetic fields of the external adjustment device so as to rotate the magnetic element of the scoliosis treatment device, to change the distraction force between the first location and second location.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second magnetic fields emanate from first and second permanent magnets.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the operation of securing the scoliosis treatment device comprises inserting the device through an incision formed in the subject.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the incision is less than 15 cm in length.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the incision is less than 7.5 cm in length.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein opposing poles of the first and second magnets of the external adjustment device are angularly synchronized during rotation.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the non-invasive adjustment of the scoliosis treatment device is performed a plurality of times.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of times occur over a span of more than one week.